Oman increases the number of commercial activities prohibited to foreign investors

September 25, 2024

Following our August 2023 client alert on the extended list of commercial activities prohibited to foreign investors under Ministerial Decision No. 364/2023 (2023 MD), the Oman Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has issued Ministerial Decision No. 435/2024 (New MD). The New MD further amends some provisions of Ministerial Decision No. 209/2020, which issued the list of commercial activities prohibited to foreign investors (2020 MD).

The New MD adds 28 activities to the existing MOCIIP list of prohibited activities outlined in the 2020 MD and 2023 MD.

We set out below the updated consolidated list of prohibited activities.

Activity

1. Manufacture of Omani halwa (Omani dessert)
2. Tailoring of Arab men wearing apparel
3. Tailoring of non-Arab men wearing apparel
4. Tailoring of Arab and non-Arab ladies wearing apparel
5. Tailoring of sports clothing
6. Tailoring of military uniforms
7. Manufacture of Omani kimma (Omani cap)
8. Manufacture of women's abaya (gown)
9. Manufacture of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger)
10. Transport and sale of drinking water
11. Motor vehicle electrical repair and recharging of batteries
12. Repairing and cleaning motor vehicle radiators
13. Repairing punctured tyres and metal wheels
14. Wheel balance
15. Motor vehicle service stations
16. Replacement of motor vehicle oils
17. Repairing car air conditioning
18. Repairing motor vehicle exhaust pipes
19. Car cleaning and polishing
20. Wholesale of fruits and vegetables
21. Wholesale of cooking gas
22. Liquefied petrol gas filling stations
23. Retail sale of fresh fruit, vegetables and dates in specialised stores
24. Retail sale of honey in specialised stores
25. Motor vehicle fuel stations
26. Diesel fuel stations
27. Retail sale of telephones and their accessories in specialised stores
28. Retail sale of mobile telephones and their accessories in specialised stores
29. Retail sale of souvenirs, paintings and gifts in specialised stores
30. Retail sale of flowers and natural plants in specialised stores
31. Retail sale of pottery and handicrafts in specialised stores
32. Retail sale of cooking gas in specialised stores
33. Retail sale of silverware and gifts in specialised stores
34. Retail sale in specialised stores of cards of telecommunications services licensed in the Sultanate
35. Retail sale of traditional weapons in specialised stores
36. Retail sale of animal feed in specialised stores
37. Retail sale of bags in specialised stores
38. Retail sale of ceremony requirements in specialised stores
39. Retail sale of fireworks in specialised stores
40. Retail sale of Omani khanjar (traditional dagger) in specialised stores
41. Retail sale of empty gas cylinders in specialised stores
42. Retail sale of wedding cards in specialised stores
43. Retail sale of handicraft products in specialised stores
44. Retail sale of beekeeping supplies in specialised stores
45. Pilgrim and umra performers' transport
46. Road transport by trucks of cooking gas cylinders
47. Loading and unloading of goods
48. Customs clearance offices
49. Valuation of cancelled vehicles
50. Insurance commission agents
51. Real estate brokerage (auctioneer offices)
52. Manpower recruitment offices
53. Employment offices
54. General cleaning of buildings
55. Photocopying and typing services
56. Transactions clearance offices
57. Making and installation of neon signboards
58. Managing and operating fuel stations
59. Driving schools
60. Elderly people care centres
61. Orphanages
62. Other library and archives activities
63. Washing all kinds of clothes and textiles, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
64. Ironing of clothes, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
65. Laundry and steam ironing (dry cleaning), except what is carried out in tourist establishments
66. Hair cutting, styling and shaving for men, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
67. Hairdressing and cosmetic treatment for women, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
68. Hair cutting and styling for children, except what is carried out in tourist establishments
69. Operation of poultry hatcheries
70. Beekeeping and production of honey and beeswax
71. Marine fishing
72. Slaughtering and preparing poultry, rabbits and birds
73. Printing using photocopier machines, computer printers, embossers etc.
74. Transport and sale of non-potable water
75. Renting of cranes with operator
76. Renting of construction machinery and other equipment operated by a worker
77. Renting of construction or demolition equipment operated by a worker
78. Wholesale of livestock
79. Wholesale of fish and sea creatures
80. Wholesale of fish products
81. Retail sale in specialised stores of meat and meat products
82. Retail sale in specialised stores of fish and other seafoods
83. Retail sale in specialised stores of Omani halwa (Omani dessert)
84. Retail sale in specialised stores of poultry (slaughtered)
85. Retail sale in specialised stores of natural herbs
86. Retail sale in specialised stores of medical herbs
87. Retail sale in specialised stores of birds, pets and ornamental fish and their accessories
88. Vehicle towing and recovery service
89. Buying, selling and dividing land
90. Renting and operating of self-owned or leased real estate (residential and non-residential)
91. Operating of buildings (self-owned or leased)
92. Appraisal services for real estate
93. Building management (based on a fee or contract)
94. Management of real estate owners' associations
95. Pets care service
96. Manufacture craft products by distilling flowers and herbs
97. Manufacture of handicraft products for production of water and oil of frankincense
98. Manufacture of handicrafts products from leather
99. Manufacture of handicraft products of palm trees
100. Manufacture of handicrafts products from wood
101. Manufacture of bakhur
102. Manufacture of beauty and perfume handicraft products
103. Manufacture of crafts of pottery and porcelain
104. Manufacture of handicraft products made of stone and gypsum
105. Manufacture of handicraft products of silver
106. Manufacture of handicraft products of copper and metals
107. Manufacture of handicraft products of aluminium
108. Manufacture of the crafting of traditional hunting tools products
109. Manufacture of craft products derived from bone
110. Cosmetic centres
111. Renting of furniture and occasions supplies
112. Retail sale in specialised stores of construction materials scrap (including iron scrap)
113. Retail sale in specialised stores of drinking water (excluding production and transport)
114. Growing of live plants for planting and ornamental purposes (including turf for transplanting)
115. Sale of used (second-hand) motor vehicles
116. Mobile coffee shops
117. Fish farming in freshwater
118. Provision of mailbox rental
119. Clerical activities
120. Sanad Services Center
121. Management and operation of LPG filling stations (Cooking Gas)
122. Collection of used batteries and oils
123. Groceries

Please contact us if you have any questions.